Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow’s showcase underway at USC’s Dedeaux Field before 25 MLB teams

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

LOS ANGELES — The Philadelphia Phillies and roughly two dozen other Major League Baseball teams are in attendance, along with more than 50 credentialed media members, at former National Football League quarterback Tim Tebow's showcase at the University of Southern California's Dedeaux Field on Tuesday.

"We're seeing some special assistants. We're seeing some amateur scouting directors here from teams. These are not just low-level scouts in many cases. These are people with a lot of influence in these respective organizations," said MLB Network's Jon Morosi in conversation with Chris Russo of "High Heat".

"This is not just something where they are going through the motions. They are sending people here with a lot of 'juice' in the industry to make decisions. I think there may be scouts here pleasantly surprised by what Tim Tebow can do."

Tebow will face two right-handers during the showcase in live batting practice: nine-year veteran David Aardsma and Thousand Oaks, California native Chad Smith, who said Tebow was struggling to recognize the changeup in workouts, but improved later on as repetitions increased.

During the showcase, Tebow logged an above-average time of 6.7 for right fielders in the 60-yard dash, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden, ranking 55 of the 20-80 scale with 50 being the mean. Tebow will also throw to bases and catch outfield fly balls, likely in the corner positions, according to Morosi.

"Tebow is still an undrafted amateur free agent, which means he will be subjected to the amateur signing guidelines. So, some teams here that have spent their full bonus pool from the draft this year will probably only be able to offer him about $100,000 to sign. Some teams that haven't spent their pool could go higher than that."

Morosi said Tebow had interest in playing baseball as early as last year, but was sidetracked when the Philadelphia Eagles offered him a contract to attend training camp. Teams hope he will sign by the middle of September so he would be able to attend instructional league, which runs into October, and later participate in the Arizona Fall or Winter leagues.

Due to other obligations, however, Tebow is limited to what he can do to prepare for spring training next February if he signs with a club. "Tebow is still a broadcaster, so he still has some obligations there until the end of the calendar year where he has to be available on weekends," said Morosi. "So, I think for that reason, he probably will stay more domestically here, whether its instructional league in Florida or Arizona, or in the Arizona Fall League."

Tebow is a former Heisman Trophy Award winner and logged 29 touchdowns and 2,422 passing yards with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets from 2010-2012.